"Addressing the Challenging Behavior of Children with High Functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome in the Classroom" by Rebecca A. Moyes

"Find it in Everything. Photographs by Drew Barrymore" by Drew Barrymore

"Wild" by Cheryl Strayed

Not pictured because I just started reading it:

"Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife" ​by Irene Spencer

For the past few years, I have ditched the whole "New Year's Resolution" thing. Instead, I set goals for myself and do monthly evaluations. I ask myself basic questions:

Where am I with my goals?Can I check this one off the list?Am I falling behind, and if so, how can I get back on track?

Now that 2016 is almost halfway finished, I decided to take a deeper look at one of the six goals I set for myself this year.

You may not understand this, but it is a true selfish indulgence and personal delight that I committed myself to reading more books in 2016. Yes, actual books. I am not counting articles on glowing devices or facebook status updates, but books.

I have always felt that the more I read and the more I travel, the more interesting I become. Others may not see it, but I do. I feel that the more I learn through experiences and books, the more I can tolerate being in the same room with myself. How boring would it be to be me if I wasn't growing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually?

My daughter and I often do nightly devotional readings (from a book, not an app), but I realized in 2015 that my reading beyond that nightly devotional had gone from pretty rampant to nonexistent. I blame my smartphone and my lack of self-control.

​However, 2016 is just a bit over halfway gone, and I have now read more books in 2016 than I did in the past three years combined.

I have learned all kinds of amazing new things. I have been inspired, as well as brought to tears and laughter. I feel like I am again becoming someone I can stand being around. Perhaps, I am a little less boring in fact.

~ Until you read my blog again,MT

PS Too many students complain about reading at WHS. I wish someone would say, "Michelle, here's 15 minutes of free time to just read every day." I would be so happy. Maybe the next time you view reading as a chore, you can think of me and how I wish I had the gift of time you are given by many teachers. Read. Learn. Grow. Become a little less boring.